Don’t Miss Out

You’re all set!

Look out for our weekly updates soon.

Connect with us

Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.

Sign up now for the latest news, top picks for your kids, and helpful tips.

What parents need to know

Positive messages

The series captures what it was like to grow up in middle-class America during the turbulent late '60s/early '70s. It underscores some of the clashing values of the time, and highlights some of the major historic moments of those years. The importance of family is also highlighted.

Positive role models

The Arnolds and most of their friends and neighbors are typical white, middle class folks of the era who live generally productive and socially acceptable lives. Karen's hippie lifestyle often clashes with her parents' middle-class values. Wayne likes to harass Kevin. African-American and Asian characters are occasionally visible, but references to diverse populations are made within the context of the time (e.g. African-Americans are referred to as "negroes").

Violence

Occasional pushing and shoving, usually between Kevin and Wayne.

Sex

The focus is primarily on teenage crushes and includes hugging and kissing. Later episodes include more sexualized content. These references aren't explicit but do include discussion of virginity, pregnancy, and living together without being married. In one specific episode, Kevin touches a girl's breast while making out with her. When two main characters do have sex at the end of the series' run, nothing graphic is visible.

Language

Wayne calls Kevin "butthead" on a regular basis. Other words include "damn," "hell," and "jackass."

Consumerism

Brand-name references to products like Pepsi and Fresca. News clips and scenes from popular TV shows of the time, such as I Dream of Jeannie, are visible. Music from the era is also featured, ranging from Motown to classic rock (including the show's theme song, "With a Little Help from My Friends").

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Beer and other alcoholic beverages are occasionally visible, as are cigarette and cigar smoking. In one episode, Kevin gets drunk -- and sick as a result. Later episodes also contain occasional references to marijuana.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this hit '80s sitcom series tells the story of main character Kevin Arnold's childhood, beginning with his tween years in the late 1960s. The events are told from both his adult and childhood perspectives, thanks to the show's trademark narration. The series focuses on Kevin's relationships with family, friends, dates, and so on -- many of which are impacted by the tumultuous political, social, and economic factors of the era. While early episodes are mostly pretty tame, later seasons do include some drug references (marijuana) and stronger sexual innuendo/scenarios.

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's the story?

Set in the late 1960s and early '70s, THE WONDER YEARS offers a funny, nostalgic look at a boy coming of age during of one of the most tumultuous times in American history. Narrated in voice-over by adult baby boomer Kevin Arnold (Daniel Stern), the show is structured as a flashback to Kevin's day-to-day life from 1968, when he's 11, until his junior year of high school in 1973. His story is told from his point of view both as an adolescent (as portrayed by Fred Savage) and as an adult. Kevin's youth is spent in middle-class suburban America with his family, including his Korean War veteran dad Jack (Dan Lauria), homemaker mom Norma (Alley Mills), hippie older sister Karen (Olivia d'Abo), and annoying older brother Wayne (Jason Hervey). Along with best friend Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano) and girl-next-door Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar), Kevin faces the trials and tribulations of growing up -- including braving a first kiss, starting (and surviving) high school, and getting a driver's license.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

Overall, the series is lighthearted, but it also contains its fair share of both thoughtful and dramatic moments, which usually present themselves when the events in Kevin's life are touched by the social, political, and economic upheavals of the era. Conflicts between Mr. Arnold and Kevin's older sister Karen are frequent, as the elder Arnold's traditional middle class values collide with Karen's hippie counterculture ideals. This tension -- in addition to concerns about the draft, losing neighborhood children in Vietnam, and putting a man on the moon -- create the backdrop for a world that Kevin and his friends must try to make sense of while growing into adulthood.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about nostalgia in the media. How accurate do you think TV shows and movies that look back on the past -- particularly the recent past -- are? Do people in general have a tendency to idealize certain parts of history? Families can also talk specifically about life in America during the 1960s and '70s. What was it like growing up in that era? How have events like the Vietnam War and the hippie counterculture movement impacted American life today? Which of today's events do you think will have as lasting an effect on future generations?

About our buy links

When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.Read more

I love it!

I am only 12 but i have been introduced to many movies. tv shows and books of the 80's 70's 60's 50's 40's and I was introduced to the Wonder years when i was about 4 and I watch it when it plays on ion at 10:00 on weeknights I love that show fred savage is cute I love the show it is my favorite!

Successful, Wonderful, All-Age Material

I love the Wonder Years, I watch it every day. But Kevin's dad Jack uses d***, he**, and d*** it a lot. It is sweet and teaches you many valuable lessons, and sometimes makes you cry. In one episode during Jack's Christmas party, he only served alcohol and wine. At the end, they caught an old friend smoking Marijuana in the basement in secret. It is a favorite of mine. Sometimes Wayne talks about sex, and Hobson talks about "men look at women", how his dad looks at dirty magazines. Wayne is a bad role model, and Jack is too, but Kevin, Winnie, Paul, Norma and Karen are good.

So good, classic!

It is defintiely okay for kids 8 and older. they themselves are like ten when the show starts. This show is so good and to this day i am still mad that winny and kevin don't end up together. what's up with that? Overall a good wholesome classic

Get top media picks for your kid's age

Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.

Our Policies

Download our free app

Common Sense is the nation’s leading independent non-profit organization dedicated to empowering kids to thrive in a world of media and technology. Families, educators, and policymakers turn to
Common Sense for unbiased information and trusted advice to help them learn how to harness the positive power of media and technology for all kids.

The Common Sense and Common Sense Media names, associated trademarks, and logos, including the Decider Slider and Age Ratings Bugs,
are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (FEIN 41-2024986).